This is a one-shot. 

Her Point-Of-View:

I was sitting comfortably in my rooms’ veranda feeling the cold afternoon breeze against my skin when I heard three soft knocks on the door.  Nanny Lydia appeared with a non-stricken face- which was quite unusual, while holding bouquet of flowers in her right hands.

“Lillian, someone delivered  flowers for you, again” nanny said amused as she motioned to hand me the flowers while making herself comfortable in the beanbag which was adjacent to where I was sitting.

I gazed at the bouquet of flowers, Pink roses to be exact. It was arranged elegantly in pink-white rappers with laces.

I sniffed the aroma. The initial reaction when you see flowers.

“Really nanny, who could be bold enough to give me, flowers almost every day, eh?” I uttered. She let out a chuckle.

“I must know the lucky guy who made my beautiful Lillian smile every time. He sure is special”

I was taken aback on what nanny said. I stared at her as she cupped my face, she looks really happy. And I must admit that I didn’t even notice I was smiling from ear to ear if not for what she said.

“Lucky? Is he nanny?”

She didn’t respond so I repeated.

“Is he?”

I know I sounded desperate but I want to know.

Nanny looked away as she stood up and said.

“Why yes, Lillian dear. I better head back to the kitchen. We do not want to eat burned cookies, are we?”

“No nanny” I mustered a laugh.

She patted my head and turned her heels towards the outside of my room. I sighed as soon as I heard the door closed. I glanced at the flowers again and spotted a card. Pretty unusual, this is the first time I’ve seen a card attached. I opened it and read.

Dear Lillian,

 Hey! Let’s meet up at your favorite garden in 3 later today. I wanted to tell you something important.

I’ll be waiting Lil.

Love,

Angelo. XO

“Angelo..” I smiled, the mere mention of his name sent shivers down to my spine. He really completes my day.

I closed my eyes took a deep breath as I reminisced the fateful day we met and coincidentally bump into.

 I was in the middle of checking spectators’ tickets for them to enter the venue where a program for a cause was held which was participated by RC organizations throughout the city. I was the lucky member to stand here at the entrance door to welcome every guest and stand on the long run.

Really, I wasn’t being sarcastic .HAHA

 I lazily continued on what I was doing while giving them a warm welcome. Finally, the torture ended.

I roamed my eyes in the lobby hall. Everything was designed with elegance. No doubt this was the finest five star hotels’ in the city. This wasn’t my first time here though but the interior design never fails to put me to awe.

I felt my knee and foot ache from all the standing. I tried stretching when suddenly someone jolted at me. It was so fast that all I did was close my eyes and waited for my bottom to fall against the hard-cemented surface.

Minutes had past but surprisingly I didn’t feel anything nor hear any thug. Instead, I felt a grip on my shoulders and a minty breath brush against my face.

I rapidly opened my eyes and I was awestruck at the guy that’s grasping me.

He has a thick brows drawn together in confusion; hazel brown eyes squinted emphasizing how long and dark his lashes are; Nose that stand pointy and proud; thin red lips and manly jaws complimented his manly yet soft face.

Am I hallucinating? Because he’s got the most handsome guy I’ve ever seen in my entire life.

“Are you alright?” A deep baritone voice brought me back to my sanity.

Adrenaline came rushing to my cheeks, so I looked down while getting out of his grasp. I composed myself and when I was sure I was not as red as a tomato I looked at him and said.

“Yeah, Thanks anyway” I told him sincerely as I turned pass him towards the door.

I was being rude alright, and all but I think I don’t have anything to say to him aside from a thank you. Besides, I don’t want to look pathetic staring at his oh-so-handsome face.

“Don’t mention it” I heard, and a guy passed at me and into the door.

“Hey you!” I wailed.

The guy stopped on his track while he turning to face me. Confusion was written all over his face while pointing his intermediate finger at his self.

“Yes you! What are you doing? You’re not allowed inside” I narrowed my eyes at him.

I know he just saved me from embarrassment and falling my butt. But hey, He can’t just come in there. He has no ticket. Like hello?

“Why can’t I?”

“Obviously you just barge in without handing your ticket and the program already started you can’t come in. You’re too late” I stated a matter of fact.

Oh, is he insane or something doesn’t he know there’s a program here and nobody’s allowed inside without any tickets?

And he just shrugged at me in return.

“Don’t you know who I am?” he asked.

“No I don’t. And I don’t want to know” shaking my head sideways

“Now please get out” I continued while politely showing him the way out, as if he was dumb enough to notice the doors.

The good looking guy just arched his brows at me. He walked towards me while both his hands were in his pocket.

God, why is he so handsome?

I know my heart has been palpitating wildly but I know better. It must be because I am so irritated right now that I’m trying hard not to kick him.

Slowly he leaned towards me invading my personal space.

He’s too close for his own good and I got to admit he’s face is so damn flawless.

I took a careful step backward and right there and then I got away with him while a saw a glint of shock in his face and altered into a cocky smile in a nanosecond.

Ha! Serve him right. I’m not a hopeless romantic that would froze and wait for his face to get closer and anticipate for his red lips to touch mine. This ain’t a fairytale.

 Now get that you handsome beast. HAHA

I face him with a bored look.

“Are you serious? Don’t you even recognize me?” he queried again.

“No, No-.”

“Angelo. Why are you still there man? Aren’t you supposed to be inside? I was waiting for you” a guy came out of the venue hall looking vexed as he tap the shoulder of the guy that was standing in my front.

He was wearing a suit and a tie. He was tall but not as tall as the handsome guy. His hair was neatly place with wax while the latter had his hair in a soft spike.

Oh, now why am I even comparing?

“Who is this girl?” the guy flashed a naughty smile when he noticed me. I just gave him a bored look.

“it’s the clumsy girl. She didn’t let me in and she didn’t even know me” Angelo guy said nonchalantly.

“Excuse me?”

“Really, Don’t you know Angelo Steeps the son of the owner of this hotel and the host of this event?” 

ANGELO STEEPS? He is Angelo-THE AMAZING-Steeps?

I gaped at him but shrugged at the thought.

Okay what if he is.

It’s not my fault that I don’t know his face and only his name rang a bell.

“Oh sorry about that, I wasn’t informed.” I mused while I gestured him to the door.

 “Just that?” he sighed looking bewildered at my response.

I nodded at him. For a second he looked vexed and hastily made his way inside. Meanwhile, the other guy bid his goodbye went inside chuckling.

I was left alone in the hallway. I placed my hand in my chest and felt how fast my heart was beating and how I wished that what happened earlier ago didn’t happened.

I took a deep breath in and assured myself that it was only for today.

But fate can sometimes be so tricky, like a fox bewitching its prey.

I thought that would be my first and last encounter with the famous Angelo-THE AMAZING-Steeps but I thought too soon.

Funny how we keep running into people we swear we don’t want to see and every situation we wished for comes out the least we expect it to be.

Because from that mortifying day (well it is for me). We kept on bumping with each other.

Like the time when I was sent to participate the interschool competition on writing for my school paper he was there and we had competed the same category, Editorial writing. It wasn’t my first time to join the said competition because for two long years I had always been the representative but it was the first time for me to see him enter in it.

Angelo Steeps is basketball varsity player at Roberts High, so it was a bit new to the ears that he’s into writing and what got me was he almost outsmarted me, He won second place and I was on the first place as always.

When the awarding finished he congratulated me and we actually became civil. He was good at writing which was a wow. Honestly, is there anything that this guy can’t do?

And there was even this one time we saw each other at my favorite garden in the city. He approached me and actually had conversed, and surprisingly we have things in common. I found out that he usually goes at the city garden too at least not every day; we also had the same favorite music bands which were “The script” and “Maroon 5”; and we dislike high school hierarchy- which was quite surprising for me to know coming out from him. After all he belongs in the higher ups while I stand in the middle.

We have differences too. Like he is not a Potter-head like I do; and he prefers tragic ending while I fancy happy ones’.

A month had passed and even though we don’t study in the same school we created a bond, we hang out often and talk a lot of random stuffs. It wasn’t hard for me to get comfortable with him ‘cause to my astonishment I grew too at ease, in fact too good that it was natural for me to laugh hard and loud like my mouth was about to rip apart, stick my tongue at him whenever he pisses me off (Sometimes) and even burp in front of him carelessly.

He was, as well.

I remembered the day he confessed at me.

It was a solemn afternoon when he asked me to go and hang out in the city garden like we always do since spring break started a week ago.

I was dressed in a floral dress that falls just above my knee and wore a blazer that covers my arms while he was in his blue polo crop up in his sleeves. He looks absolutely charming that day, well he always is. That’s a fact.

We were sitting I one of the bench inside the garden facing the yellow bright tulips while having our usual talk but I can feel that he was somehow tense- which was really new to me. Then I asked him if he’s okay he just smiled at me and I don’t know what I did but right after I told him if he’s all good he was back on his usual confident self and told me something I am surprised of.

“I know everything was so fast for us. We come off as strangers at first and then we became friends. But Lil do you know it felt like I have known you my whole life. I’ve grown comfortable with you and seeing you so careless is so.. I know this is too soon but..” he stopped midway and turned to face me. His hands holding mine and his eyes it project a whole lot of emotion.

I was scared on what he was about to tell me. Is he saying goodbye? Is he leaving me? Does he not like me as a friend? Am I too impolite for him?

Questions were buzzing in my mind and tears welled-up my eyes.

“but Lil, the way you act so rash around me makes me want to be with you more. I just love everything you do and are. I see you more as a friend Lil. I love you Lillian Chance, I really do” He continued.

Angelo caressed my cheeks his words were so sincere that it made my tears fall.

I never expected for him to love me. I never thought he will and it just ache my heart but I also feel the same way. I love him too and it pains me.

“Are you okay Lil? Why are you crying?” he said while wiping my tears with his thumb. I know he was being hysteric so I told him I was okay and I was happy. I smiled at him and composed myself. I shouldn’t be emotional right now.

It was getting dark so we decided to head back home. He stood up and held me is right hand. He’s being sweet right now I chuckled and took his hand. Just as I was about to stand up my head spin and I felt the familiar pain.

No, this can’t be. Not right now at least not in front of Angelo.

I gathered my strength and told Angelo to bring me to my house.

I heard Angelo calling my name but it grew faint.

 I felt a hot liquid running out so I tilt my head. My head hurts and the last thing I know I was swallowed by darkness.

I woke up in my bed the next morning. I saw my nanny and asked her if Angelo was here and if he knew. She told me that he was yesterday night and he asked if what happened, All he know was that I had a fever but I still went to the garden. I felt relieve somehow but I know sooner he has to know.

I sprung out of my reverie when a soft breeze touched my skin. I smile was etched in my face, recalling the days back then was a series of beautiful memories.

I even remembered asking myself if everything was a dream- a figment of my imagination. Was it a mere coincidence or was he stalking me?

Then again, why would Angelo Steeps who is a talented, smart and stunningly handsome young adult stalking Lillian Chance, an aloof, a great pretender and plain? Sure, my family’s rich but he’s someone who should never notice me as much as I want to.

Presumptuous I may be but there’s a part of me that likes the idea of him seeing me.  

That was before, but I know too well. Everything was destined. Fate had been cunning. It changed everything in me and I changed whole-heartedly.

Before Angelo came into my life I was afraid of being attached to people. Scared that anytime I will have to leave them like how my mother left me and my dad. I wanted to spare peoples aches. Because even though how agonizing it is to be left, the pain is ten times excruciating for the one who will have to leave.

And I was ready to abscond anytime. I was waiting until the day that God would take me away.

But when he came I brushed the thought of leaving I became strong. I took the courage of accepting all therapies to cure me even though it was as clear as crystal that I am in the edge just waiting for my time to fall into nothingness. However, that didn’t hinder me. Because of him I see hope- no matter how little it is.

 I learned to live again and I finally witness what life is and what mine should have been.

He has been my inspiration apart from my dad and nanny, who are both happy that I was fighting for my illness and I that I have been smiling every day. Yet, I know that there also scared for me.

I took a glance in my golden-white wristwatch, it’s half past 1. I still have an hour to prepare.

I stood up and went inside my room. I placed the flowers in the vase in my study table. I arranged it I wore my robe and bathed.

Afterwards, I grabbed a white floral dress that falls perfectly on my knees. I curled the hem of my hair put on some lip tint and powder.

I looked at my reflection in the mirror. Although I covered my lips were glossy red I still looked pale.

I know I’m not in good shape yet but I have already made up my mind. I need to tell Angelo what I also feel. I need to tell him that I am in love with him before it is too late.

I know I am not going any better these past few days I have been into series attacks since that day I collapsed in his arms at the garden. Despite of my nanny and dad not telling my condition I perfectly know I’ve gotten from worse than better. And I feel the need to tell Angelo right now and confess to him that I’m not a healthy person he thinks I am.  

I need to tell him. I know that I have not been entirely honest with him but every time I tried to say it to him I am being coward and overruled by fear that he might leave me hanging and I don’t want that.

 I don’t want him to be shocked or worse I never want him to be in despair. I love him that telling him the truth breaks me.

But I need too. I have to.

Being a chicken won’t help me. I need to be brave and tell him.

“You can do it Lillian. You are strong” I encouraged myself.

I took a deep breath and gripped my hand bag. I spun my heel and stood up.

But I regret that I took a wrong move. When I stood up I felt dizzy. My vision was hazy white and on cue hot liquid run down my nose. I tilted my head to prevent it but I coughed and the blood was spit out of my mouth. My hands were full of blood, my blood.

I was alarmed I need to call nanny. I took a step towards the door but instead I fall on my face. Blood kept on coming out and I was beginning to drown from my own blood. I arched my body in pain. Churns and knots in my inside. I limp in the burning ache.

'Why does this have to happen? Why does my plan always go wrong?'

'Is this the end? Am I going to die? I haven’t even told him my goodbye.'

The thought of him lightened me. I need to survive.

I tried to scream hoping that nanny or daddy would hear me but I heard nothing. Gradually my senses were growing weak. I felt numb my vision was blurry than ever and I went deaf.

Before all turned black I saw flashes of Angelo’s face. The first day we met and the day I last saw him. The way he holds my hand, caressed my cheeks and look me in the eye.

So this is it. I’m indeed dying. Is this what I’ve read in books? When a person is about to die there is a sudden flashback of either bad or good memories, and mine was the latter. I smiled.

'I love you, goodbye Angelo.'

'You are the best thing I never and will never have.'

And before I knew it a gush of blood came out of my mouth and everything swallowed by dark.

-The End.

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